The Bluebirds welcome Manchester United to Cardiff for the first time in 39 years as Malky Mackay’s side take on thirteen time Premier League Champions United at Cardiff City Stadium.

MATCH FACTS

- Cardiff City’s last victory over Manchester United came back in November 1960 – City have lost four and drawn one of their five meetings since.
- Manchester United are on a run of three successive Barclays Premier League victories for the first time since March.
- David Moyes has won six of his first 11 league games in charge of Man Utd. Sir Alex Ferguson won just four of his first 11 league games as manager at the club.
- Not only has Robin van Persie scored more goals than any other player in the Premier League since the start of 2011-12 (63), he’s also hit the woodwork the most often (19).
- Cardiff striker Fraizer Campbell made two appearances for Manchester United in the Premier League.
- Cardiff are looking to record back-to-back home wins in the top flight for the first time since April 1962, when they defeated Birmingham and then West Ham.
- Seven of their nine league goals this season have been scored after half-time.
- Manchester United have won more points after 11 games this season (20) than in three of their previous Premier League title-winning campaigns (1992-93, 1996-97 and 2002-03 – all 19 points from 11 games).
- Steven Caulker has blocked nineteen shots this season in the Premier League; seven more than any other player.

KEY PLAYER: Robin Van Persie

Including appearances for his country, Robin Van Persie has already scored 16 goals in just 18 appearances this season. The key frontman for United following his move from Arsenal last summer, Van Persie has continued the imperious form that guided the Reds to a 13th Premier League crown last season, with 26 goals in the top flight.

IN-FORM PLAYER: Wayne Rooney

David Moyes’ biggest triumph during his United tenure is arguably coaxing a return to top form from England International Wayne Rooney. Seven goals in all competitions tells just part of the influence he has had on United’s season so far, linking up well with frontman Robin Van Persie this campaign to provide a front two widely regarded as the best in the Premier League.

Two late clinical strikes were ultimately the difference at Villa Park as a Leandro Bacuna free-kick and close range Libor Kozak header in the second-half claimed all three points for Villa and consigned the Bluebirds to a first defeat in three.

Robin Van Persie’s first-half header against his former club proved the difference at Old Trafford as David Moyes and United recorded a vital victory against the Premier League’s current pacesetters. The win pulled the Reds back to within five points of the table topping Gunners, with thoughts of a challenge for a record 14th Premier League title very much back on the agenda for United.

City’s last meeting with United took place 38 years ago at Old Trafford with City losing 4-0 in front of a 43,601 crowd. United’s goals came from Houston, Pearson, Macari and McIlroy. They went up as Champions that season, with City going down to the lower divisions.

After taking up refereeing at the age of 29, it took just six years for Neil Swarbrick to get promoted to the National List of assistant referees, and he has enjoyed a rapid rise up the officiating ranks since.

Swarbrick learned his trade in the Northern Premier League and Conference before he joined the Football League in 2005. He regularly officiated across the Football League for the next six years, as well as taking charge of FA Cup and League Cup matches during that period.

His first Premier League appointment came in December 2010, when he was in the middle for Fulham’s goalless draw with Sunderland. The following season, he and Jon Moss were both promoted to the Select Group of referees and he now predominantly officiates in the Premier League.

WATCH OUR EXCLUSIVE MATCH PREVIEW SHOW IN THE CITY, COURTESY OF CARDIFF CITY PLAYER, BELOW.